Young and old have descended on the streets of west London as Notting Hill Carnival continued to turn the area into a party for the first time since the pandemic.
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The Adults Day parade on Monday saw many attendees dressed in colourful, sparkling costumes to match the dancers.
Pam Small came from the US for the carnival and was dressed in yellow feathers and an intricate sparkly costume.
She has been travelling to the UK for the carnival for nine years and is elated to be back after COVID.
"I love everything about it. The people, the culture, the diversity - it's really special to be here," she said
Clayde Tavernier was wearing a blue-feathered crown and bystanders stopped to dance and take photos with him.
"Carnival is the time to be myself, to express who I am. I came all the way from Dominica to be here and to have fun," said the The Dominican dancer, who attends every year.
Teenagers Iona Edesiri Thomson and Neve Kearneg, both from London, were following the parade up Ladbroke Grove while wearing make-up featuring Caribbean green and yellow to represent the Jamaican flag.
"We've been since we were little kids and this is the first time since COVID. The people are so fun and I love the food. People cooking their culture's food is really amazing," Thomson said.
Walking in the parade was Rolando Ponde, who was wearing white platform heels and was covered in white, purple and pink feathers and matching diamantes.
"Carnival is special because it introduces people to their roots, to their culture. We have our community here in the UK and at carnival we can all come together," he said.
The Metropolitan Police said that by 7am on Monday there had been 76 arrests for "a variety of different offences". Officers said a police horse died on duty during the carnival after collapsing about 9pm on Sunday.
The force said it is too early to determine the cause of death, adding there will be an investigation.
There was also a birth at the carnival although it is not known if the mother was a local resident or visiting the spectacle.
Australian Associated Press
